According to new research, 5.78% - or one in 16 - of those asked suffer at least one attack every week.

In a nationwide league table from the findings of the study, Newcastle came seventh behind the likes of Swansea (8.16%), Wolverhampton (6.98%) and Cardiff (6.67%).

Others ahead of the city were Birmingham (5.85%) and Brighton (5.8%).

More than half of the 3,000 residents surveyed by the company bcalm across 21 cities stated they’d had at least one panic attack in their life, with 14% suffering them at least once a month.

Crowded cities, public transport and even cinemas have caused people to have panic attacks in the past.

The poll revealed that more than one third (35%) of panic attack sufferers said crowded offices had triggered their attacks, while one quarter (46%) of sufferers said they’d had an attack on their way to work.

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Panic disorder specialist and founder of bcalm, Dr David Sinclair, said more needs to be done to reduce carbon dioxide levels to prevent panic attacks - particularly as 27% of sufferers said they received no support for their attacks from their employer.

He said: “Medical research has shown repeatedly that when people with panic disorder breathe air with elevated carbon dioxide, panic attacks result.

“Carbon dioxide is 100 to 500% higher in planes, tubes, lifts, in meetings and in cars, so it stands to reason that commuting and being at work can increase the chances of a panic attack.

“Two separate, double blind medical studies in two different countries, done by two different investigators have demonstrated that carbon dioxide pollution filters do help reduce panic attacks.”

Getting older might help, too. According to the survey, young people are more prone to panic disorder, with 18% of 18 to 24-year-olds having regular attacks.